Merchandising Expert

Location: Pune, Maharashtra, India
Department: Information Technology

Job Description

Role Overview

As part of METRO’s Global Solution Center, India, you are responsible for providing operational and analytical support for planogram creation and maintenance across METRO countries. This role supports the execution, coordination, documentation and monitoring of space planning-related activities, ensuring accurate article, assortment, layout and placement data maintenance, timely reporting and consistent collaboration with local market teams and business stakeholders. Operating within established company policies, governance standards and service delivery models, the Merchandising Expert contributes to stable planogram execution, operational transparency and continuous improvement while enabling local teams through reliable support from the Global Solution Center.

Key Responsibilities

Operational:

• Support day-to-day planogram creation, maintenance and execution activities across assigned markets.
• Maintain, validate and update articles, assortment, fixture, layout and placement data in relevant systems and templates.
• Prepare and coordinate operational inputs, reports and working files required for planogram creation, updates and stakeholder alignment.
• Support assortment, shelf layout, product placement and store-space related activities by maintaining data accuracy and process documentation.
• Monitor planogram status, implementation confirmations, and operational follow-ups, escalating exceptions where required.
• Review planogram outputs, system updates and process information to identify inconsistencies, missing inputs or required corrections.
• Assist in resolving planogram and space planning exceptions with local market teams, master data, merchandising and Category Management.
• Ensure proper documentation and reconciliation of planogram information across systems, templates, collaboration platforms and reporting outputs.

Continuous improvement:

• Identify opportunities to improve planogram execution, documentation quality and operational ways of working.
• Analyze recurring issues, data inconsistencies and implementation gaps and support actions to reduce operational rework.
• Contribute to standardization of planogram templates, reporting routines and support activities across markets.
• Maintain planogram master data and working files in line with agreed governance standards

Collaboration:

• Work closely with Category Management, Marketing and other stakeholders to support process delivery.
• Gather and consolidate market, store, assortment, fixture and stakeholder inputs required for operational execution and reporting.
• Prepare and share relevant planogram information, implementation updates and supporting documentation with stakeholders
• Coordinate cross-functional follow-ups to support timely review, validation, implementation and closure of operational activities.
• Facilitate effective communication between GSC teams and local business functions while supporting agreed service levels and governance routines

Qualifications

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Business Administration, Merchandising, Operations Management or related field preferred
• 4 to 7 years of experience in merchandising support, planogram operations, retail design  
• Experience in retail/wholesale or consumer goods / FMCG is a plus

Additional Information

Skills & Competencies

Primary Skills (Required)

• Strong understanding of planogram creation, shelf layout design and space planning principles.
• Experience working with planogram and space planning tools (e.g., Spaceman, Blue Yonder/JDA or similar)
• Hands-on experience with Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint and Word)
• Solid understanding of retail or wholesale merchandising processes with strong attention to detail and quality standards
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to coordinate with stakeholders across functions
• Proven ability to work effectively with multiple departments such as Category Management or Store Operations
• Fluency in professional English
• Demonstration of cultural awareness and respect in cross-functional collaboration

Secondary Skills (Preferred)

• Fluency in additional languages
• Strong aptitude for identifying process improvement opportunities and implementing solutions
• Skilled in managing expectations and supporting cross-functional meetings
• Strong social competence to connect, build networks and resolve conflicts

Company Description

Established in 2011 and headquartered in Pune, METRO Global Solution Center (GSC) India is a strategic hub driving METRO’s global transformation. With 1,200+ professionals, we deliver specialized integrated expertise across Master Data Management, Information Technology, Cyber Security, Marketing & Design, Strategy, Finance & Accounting, Controlling (FP&A), and People & Culture (HR) solutions that drive operational excellence and digital innovation.

By supporting METRO’s sCore strategy, we enable sustainable growth and strengthen business processes. With a solutions-first mindset, we reduce complexity, accelerate transformation, and create measurable value for METRO businesses scaling up globally. METRO is a leading international food wholesaler operating in over 30 countries with a strong network of wholesale stores, digital marketplaces, and food service distribution. It supports businesses that keep the world running, from hotels, restaurants, and cafés to local retailers - offering quality, reliability, and smart solutions that help small and medium-sized businesses succeed.

Headquartered in Düsseldorf, Germany, METRO AG employs over 85,000 people worldwide and acts as the central management holding company of the group, driving strategic direction, and enabling consistent excellence across all markets. Around the world, METRO has approx. 15 million customers who benefit from the wholesale company’s unique multichannel mix: customers can purchase their goods in one of the large stores in their area as well as by delivery (Food Service Distribution, FSD) – all digitally supported and connected. In parallel, METRO MARKETS is being developed as an international online marketplace for professional customers, which has been growing and expanding continuously since 2019.

Acting sustainably is one of the company principles of METRO, which has been listed in various sustainability indices and rankings, including MSCI, Sustainalytics and CDP.